Radiolabelled amino acid formulations stored in an unfrozen state

ABSTRACT

Additives are proposed for compositions comprising radiolabelled organic compounds e.g. 32P-labelled nucleotides. Stabilizers are selected from tryptophan, para-aminobenzoate, indoleacetate and the azole group. Dyes are selected from Sulphorhodamine B, Xylene Cyanol, Azocarmine B and New Coccine. Preferred compositions contain both stabilizer and dye.

This is a divisional application of Ser. No. 08/467,802, filed Jun. 6, 1995; now allowed which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/107,733, filed Aug. 23, 1993; now U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,654 which is a 371 of PCT/GB93/00869, filed Apr. 27, 1993.

Radiolytic self-decomposition of radiochemicals has always been a problem to manufacturers and users alike. Shelf-life can be as little as a few weeks despite the use of the most suitable storage temperatures and physical dispersal methods for each particular compound or isotope. The subject is discussed in Review 16, Self-decomposition of Radiochemicals, Amersham International plc, Amersham.

Generally applicable additives which could be added to radiochemicals in order to extend shelf-life and improve efficiency by minimising the formation of radioactive impurities, would be of great economic and scientific value. A user of a stabilised radiochemical would benefit from being able to conduct experiments over a longer time span, achieve more consistent results between batches of the same radiochemical, and use less rigorous storage conditions. The additive should minimally interfere with or be compatible with the processes occurring in the application of radiochemicals to experimental systems, such as protein or nucleic acid manipulation.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,390,517 teaches the use of a wide range of soluble primary, secondary and tertiary amines as stabilisers for radiolabelled compounds.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,881 teaches the use of thiocarbonylated amines as stabilisers.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,451 teaches the use of 4-aminobenzoic acid as an antioxidant in compositions containing Technetium-99m.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,987 teaches the use of a range of pyridine carboxylic acids as stabilisers.

32-P radiolabelled nucleotides are often sold as buffered aqueous solutions shipped in dry ice and sold for storage by the customer at -20° C. It would be a significant advantage, both to the shipper and to the customer, if the radiolabelled nucleotides could be supplied at ambient temperature and stored in an unfrozen form.

Solutions of radiolabelled nucleotides and other organic compounds are generally sold colourless. A coloured solution would be an advantage, since it would make the solution more easily visible during manipulation. However, a suitable dye would need not to interfere with any process in which the radiolabelled organic chemical might be used.

In one aspect the invention provides a composition comprising an organic compound labelled with a β-emitting radionuclide, said radiolabelled organic compound being subject to radiolytic decomposition during storage and shipment, together with a stabiliser selected from tryptophan, para-aminobenzoate, indoleacetate, luminol, and the group of azoles which are compounds having a 5-membered ring with at least two ring nitrogen atoms directly bonded to one another.

In another aspect, the invention provides a composition comprising a solution of an organic compound labelled with a β-emitting radionuclide and a dye.

The invention is mainly concerned with radiolabelled organic compounds which are supplied, shipped and stored in solution, usually aqueous solution or less usually in solution in a hydrophilic organic solvent. The invention also encompasses compositions in the solid state e.g. those produced by lyophilising or otherwise drying liquid compositions. The invention is applicable to radiolabelled organic compounds which are subject to radiolytic self-decomposition, for example: amino acids, steroids, lipids, fatty acids, peptides, carbohydrates, proteins, and particularly nucleotides, thionucleotides, nucleosides and nucleic acids.

The nature of the β-emitting radionuclide is not critical; 3-H and 14-C are possible, but 32-P, 35-S and 33-P are preferred.

The stabiliser is preferably selected from L-and D-tryptophan; para-aminobenzoate which term is used to include the free acid and salts and esters thereof; indoleacetate which term is used to include the free acid and salts and esters thereof; luminol (3-aminophthalhydrazide); and the group of azoles which are compounds having a 5-membered ring with at least two ring nitrogen atoms directly bonded to one another. Such compounds preferably have the structure ##STR1## which structure contains two ring double bonds, wherein one or two of X, Y and Z may represent N or one of X, Y and Z may represent S, the remaining X, Y and Z representing C,

when present each of R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵, represents --OH, --SH, --H, --COOH, --NH₂, --CH₃ attached to the ring directly or via a chain of up to 10 carbon atoms, or two adjacent members of R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ may together constitute an aromatic ring.

It will be understood that R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ will or will not be present depending on the nature of X, Y and Z and on the positions of the two double bonds. Examples of classes of azole compounds envisaged are

    ______________________________________                                         X       Y     Z         Present     Absent                                     ______________________________________                                         C       C     C         R.sup.1, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5                                                         R.sup.2                                    N       C     C         R.sup.1, R.sup.4, R.sup.5                                                                  R.sup.2, R.sup.3                           N       N     C         R.sup.1, R.sup.5                                                                           R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4                  C       N     C         R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5                                                                  R.sup.1, R.sup.2                           C       N     C         R.sup.1, R.sup.3, R.sup.5                                                                  R.sup.2, R.sup.4                           C       S     C         R.sup.3, R.sup.5                                                                           R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.4                  ______________________________________                                    

Among the possible compounds from the azole group are those illustrated in the Examples. The concentration of stabiliser is sufficient to reduce radiolytic decomposition of the radiolabelled organic compound, while not being so high as to materially interfere with the reaction systems where the radiolabelled organic compound is to be used. Preferred concentrations in liquid compositions are in the range of 1 mM to 1M, particularly 10 to 100 mM. Used in these concentrations, the preferred compounds have proved effective stabilisers particularly for nucleotides.

The dye is preferably selected from Sulphorhodamine B, Xylene Cyanol, Azocarmine B and New Coccine. Other possible dyes include Orange G, Tartrazine, Safranin O, Methyl Green, Bromophenol Blue, Eosin, Evans Blue, Brilliant Blue G, Bromocresol Green, Ponceau S, Carmoisine Red, Remazol Red RB, Sandoz Black, Sandoz Violet, Sandoz Brilliant Green, Remazol Golden Yellow, Remazol Red B, Acid Red 40, Acid Alizarin Violet N, Mordant Brown 6 and BPBDTC (3,3'-(4,4'-biphenylene)-bis(2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride). The concentration of the dye should be sufficient to visibly colour the solution, but not so high as to materially interfere with the reaction systems into which the radiolabelled organic compound is to be introduced. Preferred dye concentrations are from 20 to 3000 μg/ml, particularly 50 to 400 μg/ml; that is to say approximately (depending on the molecular weight of the dye) from 3×10⁻⁵ to 6×10⁻³ mol/l particularly 8×10⁻⁵ to 1×10⁻³ mol/l. At these concentrations, the dyes do have a mild stabilising effect, in addition to providing colour. However, the colour of compositions containing these dyes does fade with time, possibly due to radiolytic rupture of double bonds of the ring structures of the dyes. While this fading does not render the compositions unworkable, it may nevertheless be inconvenient. The structural formulae of the preferred stabilisers and dyes used in this invention are given in Tables 1 and 2 respectively.

According to a further and preferred aspect of the invention, the radiolabelled organic compound composition includes both the dye and the stabiliser. This has several advantages. The stabiliser helps to prevent the dye from fading. The dye improves the visibility of the radiochemical. The dye and the stabiliser may act synergistically to improve the stability of the radiolabelled organic compound.

The compositions of this invention may contain buffers. The nature of the buffer is not critical to the invention, but standard commercial diluents for nucleotides consisting of an aqueous buffered solution stabilised by 2-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol are preferred systems. These are the systems that are used in the examples below. But other systems have been tested and shown to be equally effective.

Radiolabelled nucleotides and other organic compounds are conventionally shipped and stored at -20° C. or below, requiring the use of dry ice. Preferred compositions according to this invention are suitable for shipment and storage either at 4° C. (on ice) or more preferably at ambient temperature.

Transport of radioactive materials is subject to strict international regulations, which are particularly stringent in the case of air shipment. Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials (1985 edition) are defined in the IAEA Safety Standards (amended 1990). These list the properties required of packaging for radioactive materials, such as type A packages containing radioactive liquids.

The IAEA Safety Standards apply to international shipment. Other regulations are applicable to transport within USA and other countries.

A complete package for shipment will generally consist of a closed vessel or vial for the radioactive material, and an outer container and external packaging eg. an expanded polystyrene box and a cardboard outer layer. The entire package must meet specified requirements and pass a variety of tests in order to be suitable for shipment under the Regulations. One such requirement for type A packages is that the containment system of the package, and thus the closed vessel or vial itself, must retain its radioactive contents under a reduction of ambient pressure to 25 kPa(0.25kgf/cm²). Other requirements of the packaging can be found in the above-mentioned regulations and in other regulations as appropriate.

Thus, a closed vessel or vial for containing a composition according to the invention, said vessel or vial adapted for storage and shipment will need to meet the relevant international regulations for shipment of that particular composition. One such vial which is available commercially and which may be used for shipment of compositions according to the invention is the Amersham Redivial (trade mark). A particular feature of the Redivial is a splash guard to contain the liquid contents at the bottom of the vial thus minimising contamination of the inner surfaces of the vial and cap during ambient shipment when the material is not frozen.

EXPERIMENTAL

In the examples below, various compositions were made up and tested for stability. Some of the tabulated experimental data refers to batches of dCTP labelled with 32 Phosphorus, but the stabilising compounds were also tested with the other 32 Phosphorus alpha-labelled nucleotides dATP, dGTP and dTTP. Testing of these stabilisers was also carried out with 32 Phosphorus gamma-labelled ATP and with 35 Sulphur alpha-labelled dATP. The half-life of 32P is 14.3 days, but batches for sale are typically reference-dated for the Friday of the week following sale. Stability testing was therefore carried out for 21 days to approximate the length of customer usage. Stabilisation of various compounds labelled with 3H, 14C and 33P was also investigated.

All test results are expressed as absolute percentage incorporation of the nucleotide compared with a control formulation, from the same batch, based on the above diluent without further added stabiliser or dye and stored at RT or +4° C. or -20° C.

Various tests of nucleotide stability were performed:

The radiochemical purity of the labelled nucleotide was measured after storage for various intervals, using thin layer chromatography plates which were subsequently scanned using a Raytek RITA scanner. This is reported as RCP.

Formulations were tested in various nucleic acid assays and manipulations: Sanger dideoxy sequencing using T7, Taq and Klenow DNA polymerase enzymes, random primed and nick translated DNA labelling reactions on both phage lambda and human genomic probes such as raf-1 and N-ras, and PCR labelling of probes. Probes generated as above were used in genomic hybridisations for single copy detection, and in colony screening. 3' end tailing and 5' end labelling of probes were also carried out, the latter specifically using the 32 Phosphorus gamma-labelled ATP.

Other techniques used were cDNA first strand synthesis and protein phosphorylation.

From these, random primed probe generation (in Amersham International Multiprime kit reactions: Amersham kit RPN 1600 based on Feinberg and Vogelstein, Anal. Biochem. 132, 6-13 (1983) and Addendum Anal. Biochem. 137, 266-267 (1984)) was selected as providing a stringent and representative test of radiolabelled organic compound stability and activity for the dNTPs: 5' end labelling was selected as the principal test for 32 P gamma-labelled ATP.

In the following examples, RCP refers to the radiochemical purity of the sample, MP to % incorporations obtained using the random primed DNA labelling technique in Amersham International's Multiprime kit.

SB, XY, AB and NC are Sulphorhodamine B, Xylene Cyanol, Azocarmine B and New Coccine respectively. pABA is para-aminobenzoate. IAA is indoleacetic acid. 2ME is 2-mercaptoethanol and DTT is dithiothreitol.

Storage conditions designated +40/RT/+4 indicate that the nucleotide was stored at +40° C. for 24 hours, then at room temperature (RT; 21°-24° C.) for 48 hours before being stored at +4° C. for the remainder of the test period.

Control samples consist of Amersham International's current selling nucleotide formulation, without the addition of any further stabiliser or dye.

EXAMPLES 1 TO 8

In Examples 1-8, the 32P labelled nucleotide (dCTP) was used at a specific activity of 3000 Ci/mmol and a concentration of 10 mCi/ml. 1 mCi lots were used for tests. Unless otherwise stated, the formulation used was an aqueous buffered diluent stabilised by 2-mercaptoethanol.

Example 1

Formulations containing different concentrations of stabilisers were tested. All stabilisers worked well.

    ______________________________________                                                            DAY 8     DAY 15  DAY 22                                    SAMPLE   STORAGE   RCP    MP   RCP  MP   RCP  MP                               ______________________________________                                         CONTROL  +40/RT/+4 --      1   21   --   12    0                               L-TRYPTO-                                                                               "         70     54   78   --   69   60                               PHAN 25 mM                                                                     pABA Na  "         79     73   77   --   79   66                               50 mM                                                                          pABA K   "         80     71   82   --   79   70                               50 mM                                                                          IAA 50 mM                                                                               "         81     74   83   --   77   64                               ______________________________________                                    

Example 2

Formulations containing the two dyes Sulphorhodamine B and Xylene Cyanol were made up and tested under different temperature storage conditions. Both dyes are seen to have a minor stabilising effect at +4° C.

    ______________________________________                                                            DAY 7     DAY 14  DAY 23                                    SAMPLE   STORAGE   RCP    MP   RCP  MP   RCP  MP                               ______________________________________                                         CONTROL  -20° C.                                                                           87     68   79   65   82   67                               SB 400 μg/ml                                                                         "         87     61   81   65   84   69                               XY 400 μg/ml                                                                         "         77     60   73   64   74   60                               CONTROL  +40/RT/+4 13     11   6    0    0    0                                SB 400 μg/ml                                                                         "         35     35   15   9    0    0                                XY 400 μg/ml                                                                         "         29     30   16   5    0    0                                ______________________________________                                    

Example 3

Formulations containing the stabiliser pABA K at the normal concentration of 50 mM and the dye New Coccine were tested. The dye was used at a final molarity of 3.5×10⁻⁴ mol/l (equivalent to Sulphorhodamine B at 200 μg/ml). Storage was at RT, 37° C. or 42°-45° C. for either 1, 2 or 3 days as indicated, to test the robustness of the dye. After this period, all pots were stored at +4° C. for the remainder of the test period.

    __________________________________________________________________________                    WK 0  WK 1  WK 2  WK 3                                          SAMPLE  STORAGE                                                                               RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP                                         __________________________________________________________________________     CONTROL -20° C.                                                                        95 88 91 82 91 91 -- 73                                         CONTROL +40/RT/+4                                                                             89 80 94 57 95 66 -- 12                                         NC + pABA K                                                                            72 HRS @ RT                                                                           92 75 93 71 76 76 -- --                                         NC + pABA K                                                                            24 HRS @ 37                                                                           97 72 91 82 82 83 -- 74                                         NC + pABA K                                                                            48 HRS @ 37                                                                           92 64 92 83 91 82 -- 64                                         NC + pABA K                                                                            72 HRS @ 37                                                                           79 73 94 83 94 79 -- --                                         NC + pABA K                                                                            24 HRS @ 42                                                                           89 75 94 81 90 79 -- 36                                         NC + pABA K                                                                            48 HRS @ 42                                                                           92 81 93 76 91 69 -- --                                         NC + pABA K                                                                            72 HRS @ 42                                                                           96 77 77 81 91 76 -- --                                         __________________________________________________________________________

Example 4

RCP's and % incorporations using the Multiprime assay were also measured for Azocarmine B, with experimental details as for Example 3. The dye was used at a final molarity of 3.5×10⁻⁴ mol/l

    __________________________________________________________________________                    WK 0  WK 1  WK 2  WK 3                                          SAMPLE  STORAGE                                                                               RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP                                         __________________________________________________________________________     CONTROL -20° C.                                                                        93 89 88 82 93 91 -- 71                                         CONTROL +40/RT/+4                                                                             93 88 64 58 73 39 -- 4                                          AB + pABA K                                                                            72 HRS @ RT                                                                           91 79 89 86 81 74 -- --                                         AB + pABA K                                                                            24 HRS @ 37                                                                           91 88 93 83 89 81 -- 76                                         AB + pABA K                                                                            48 HRS @ 37                                                                           93 77 92 80 91 77 -- 66                                         AB + pABA K                                                                            72 HRS @ 37                                                                           93 81 92 73 93 69 -- --                                         AB + pABA K                                                                            24 HRS @ 42                                                                           94 73 93 76 91 71 -- 78                                         AB + pABA K                                                                            48 HRS @ 42                                                                           90 82 93 81 93 78 -- --                                         AB + pABA K                                                                            72 HRS @ 42                                                                           93 50 92 77 91 68 -- --                                         __________________________________________________________________________

Example 5

Formulations containing two different dyes and two different stabilisers were tested. Both dyes were used at a concentration of 400 μg/ml. L-Tryptophan and potassium p-aminobenzoate were used at concentrations of 25 mM and 50 mM respectively.

    __________________________________________________________________________                         DAY 8  DAY 15                                                                               DAY 21                                        SAMPLE       STORAGE                                                                               RCP MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP                                         __________________________________________________________________________     CONTROL      +40/RT/+4                                                                             12  2  6  1  3  1                                          SB 400 μg/ml + L Tryp                                                                    +40/RT/+4                                                                             71  48 66 49 61 34                                         SB 400 μg/ml + pABA K                                                                    +40/RT/+4                                                                             76  52 67 53 66 41                                         XY 400 μg/ml + L Tryp                                                                    +40/RT/+4                                                                             75  67 62 58 55 40                                         XY 400 μg/ml + pABA K                                                                    +40/RT/+4                                                                             79  66 71 67 70 61                                         __________________________________________________________________________

Example 6

A formulation containing 50 mM pABA K⁺ was stored at RT, 37° C. or 42°-45° C. for either 1, 2 or 3 days to test the robustness of the stabiliser.

All conditions except the control contain 50 mM pABA K.

After times at elevated temperatures as indicated, all conditions were stored at +4° C. for the remaining test period except for the unstabilised control, which was kept at -20° C. throughout.

    ______________________________________                                                                DAY 7     DAY 14                                        SAMPLE    STORAGE      RCP    MP   RCP  MP                                     ______________________________________                                         CONTROL   -20° C.                                                                              89     85   86   78                                     pABA K    24 HRS @ RT  86     73   84   75                                     "         48 HRS @ RT  86     71   83   74                                     "         72 HRS @ RT  85     74   83   72                                     "         24 HRS @ 37  87     71   83   74                                     "         48 HRS @ 37  88     69   83   73                                     "         72 HRS @ 37  86     83   83   73                                     "         24 HRS @ 42  86     71   83   72                                     "         48 HRS @ 42  86     79   84   72                                     "         72 HRS @ 42  87     70   83   72                                     ______________________________________                                    

Example 7

Formulations containing different concentrations of Sulphorhodamine B as dye and para-amino Benzoic acid (Potassium salt) as stabiliser, and combinations of the two in various concentrations, were tested.

    __________________________________________________________________________                          DAY 7 DAY 15                                                                               DAY 22                                        SAMPLE         STORAGE                                                                              RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP                                         __________________________________________________________________________     CONTROL        -20° C.                                                                       84 74 67 67 75 63                                         20 mM pABA K   +40/RT/+4                                                                            83 68 71 59 68 49                                         30 mM pABA K   +40/RT/+4                                                                            84 65 79 63 74 53                                         40 mM pABA K   +40/RT/+4                                                                            86 67 84 64 78 54                                         50 mM pABA K   +40/RT/+4                                                                            89 69 86 70 81 62                                         50 μg/ml SB +40/RT/+4                                                                            20 8  7  1  0  0                                          100 μg/ml SB                                                                               +40/RT/+4                                                                            23 10 6  1  0  0                                          200 μg/ml SB                                                                               +40/RT/+4                                                                            30 18 10 4  -- 0                                          400 μg/ml SB                                                                               +40/RT/+4                                                                            37 24 16 8  20 0                                          20 mM pABAK//50 μg/ml SB                                                                   +40/RT/+4                                                                            73 60 68 57 66 51                                         20 mM pABAK//100 μg/ml SB                                                                  +40/RT/+4                                                                            74 62 71 57 66 52                                         20 mM pABAK//200 μg/ml SB                                                                  +40/RT/+4                                                                            73 56 69 51 62 51                                         20 mM pABAK//400 μg/ml SB                                                                  +40/RT/+4                                                                            78 65 77 54 67 54                                         30 mM pABAK//50 μg/ml SB                                                                   +40/RT/+4                                                                            85 68 75 64 72 56                                         30 mM pABAK//100 μg/ml SB                                                                  +40/RT/+4                                                                            83 70 77 83 71 68                                         30 mM pABAK//200 μg/ml SB                                                                  +40/RT/+4                                                                            77 66 71 75 70 57                                         30 mM pABAK//400 μg/ml SB                                                                  +40/RT/+4                                                                            80 67 76 67 75 59                                         40 mM pABAK//50 μg/ml SB                                                                   +40/RT/+4                                                                            79 68 78 63 79 60                                         40 mM pABAK//100 μg/ml SB                                                                  +40/RT/+4                                                                            84 65 78 62 77 58                                         40 mM pABAK//200 μg/ml SB                                                                  +40/RT/+4                                                                            86 67 78 63 77 59                                         40 mM pABAK//400 μg/ml SB                                                                  +40/RT/+4                                                                            86 67 84 65 79 63                                         50 mM pABAK//50 μg/ml SB                                                                   +40/RT/+4                                                                            88 71 87 63 83 63                                         50 mM pABAK//100 μg/ml SB                                                                  +40/RT/+4                                                                            88 69 85 64 81 66                                         50 mM pABAK//200 μg/ml SB                                                                  +40/RT/+4                                                                            86 72 87 63 81 66                                         50 mM pABAK//400 μg/ml SB                                                                  +40/RT/+4                                                                            87 75 86 65 81 67                                         __________________________________________________________________________

Example 8

Formulations containing different stabilisers were made up with and without 400 μg/ml of Sulphorhodamine B.

    __________________________________________________________________________                          DAY 8 DAY 15                                                                               DAY 22                                        SAMPLE         STORAGE                                                                              RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP                                         __________________________________________________________________________     CONTROL        +40/RT/+4                                                                            -- 1  21 -- 12 0                                          SB 400 μg/ml//50 mM LTRYP                                                                  +40/RT/+4                                                                            70 45 82 -- 73 63                                         SB 400 μg/ml//50 mM pABANa                                                                 +40/RT/+4                                                                            79 72 88 -- 78 72                                         SB 400 μg/ml//50 mM pABAK                                                                  +40/RT/+4                                                                            83 73 88 -- 80 72                                         L TRYPTOPHAN ONLY                                                                             +40/RT/+4                                                                            70 54 78 -- 69 60                                         pABA Na ONLY   +40/RT/+4                                                                            79 73 77 -- 79 66                                         pABA K ONLY    +40/RT/+4                                                                            80 71 82 -- 79 70                                         __________________________________________________________________________

Example 9

In the following data, the nucleotide used in testing was ³⁵ S dATP at a concentration of 10 mCi/ml. All the stabilising compounds were used at a concentration of 50 mM, and were temperature cycled at +40° C. for 24 hours and room temperature for 48 hours before long term storage at +4° C. All samples contained 20 mM Dithiothreitol (DTT).

    __________________________________________________________________________                    WK 2  WK 4  WK 8  WK 14                                         SAMPLE         RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP                                         __________________________________________________________________________     CONTROL -20° C.                                                                        92 72 91 74 91 77 87 61                                         3-Amino-5-mercaptotriazole                                                                    92 67 91 73 89 78 88 53                                         2-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole                                                                     87 72 84 74 81 74 75 61                                         2,5-Dimercapto-1,3,4-                                                                         92 62 90 80 90 77 87 47                                         thiadiazole                                                                    4-Methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-                                                                   91 66 88 79 91 72 83 43                                         3-thiol        --                                                              3,5-Diamino-1,2,4-triazole                                                                    91 73 84 75 83 73 65 53                                         3-Amino pyrazole                                                                              88 73 87 70 85 78 71 53                                         5-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-                                                                    92 79 92 79 94 88 71 70                                         2-thiol                                                                        3-Amino-5-hydroxypyrazole                                                                     64 71 84 71 83 75 72 63                                         1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol                                                                     91 70 91 73 89 81 90 78                                         5-Mercaptotriazole                                                                            91 73 91 78 89 78 86 55                                         (Na.sup.+) 2H.sub.2 O                                                          p-Amino benzoic acid (K.sup.+)                                                                79 60 81 69 66 66 58 40                                         5-Mercapto-1-tetrazole                                                                        91 75 86 80 78 70 53 40                                         acetic acid (Na.sup.+)                                                         5-Metcapto-1-methyl                                                                           89 73 84 65 78 70 65 37                                         tetrazole                                                                      __________________________________________________________________________

Stabilisation was observed in all formulations.

Example 10

The stabilisers of Example 9 were also tested on 32P dCTP labelled nucleotide where they were again used at a working concentration of 50 mM. The radioactive concentration of the dCTP was 10 mCi/ml. All samples contained 5 mM 2-mercaptoethanol. Storage conditions were +40/RT/+4 except for the -20° C. control.

    __________________________________________________________________________                       DAY 6  DAY 14 DAY 21                                         SAMPLE            RCP MP RCP MP RCP MP                                         __________________________________________________________________________     CONTROL -20° C.                                                                           79  71 80  68 79  70                                         3-Amino-5-mercaptotriazole                                                                       77  70 76  68 76  66                                         pABA K.sup.+      78  65 76  63 71  61                                         2-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole                                                                        73  60 65  58 68  51                                         2,5-Dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole                                                                 79  74 78  67 79  65                                         4-Methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol                                                               78  75 78  77 79  69                                         3,5-Diamino-1,2,4-triazole                                                                       78  72 76  73 74  65                                         5-Mercapto-1-tetrazole                                                                           81  69 73  68 73  65                                         acetic acid (Na.sup.+)                                                         5-Mercapto-1-methyl tetrazole                                                                    75  70 77  66 71  70                                         3-Amino pyrazole  76  73 76  65 74  63                                         5-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol                                                                72  83 78  70 74  66                                         3-Amino-5-hydroxypyrazole                                                                        69  76 74  64 68  58                                         1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol                                                                        76  72 78  72 78  64                                         5-Mercaptotriazole (Na.sup.+) 2H.sub.2 O                                                         75  71 78  68 76  67                                         __________________________________________________________________________

The results indicate that these compounds showed stabilising activity of nucleotides in solution.

Example 11

Further compounds were also tested on the 32P labelled dCTP nucleotides as for Example 10, and were again used at a working concentration of 50 mM (except for luminol which was used at a working concentration of 45 mM).

    __________________________________________________________________________                       DAY 8  DAY 16 DAY 23                                         SAMPLE            RCP MP RCP MP RCP MP                                         __________________________________________________________________________     CONTROL -20° C.                                                                           90  50 88  52 83  49                                         pABA K.sup.+      87  44 82  33 78  31                                         5-Methyl-1H-benzotriazole                                                                        80  40 71  39 67  48                                         3-Amino-4-pyrazole carboxylic acid                                                               84  45 81  42 75  47                                         3-Amino-5-mercaptotriazole                                                                       87  41 88  40 82  47                                         Luminol           80  39 80  44 77  47                                         __________________________________________________________________________

Example 12

Formulations containing stabiliser and/or dye were tested on dATP (alpha-35S) nucleotide solutions which were at 10 mCi/ml radioactive concentration. The labelling on the table shows the stabiliser and/or dye present in each sample including their respective concentrations. Storage conditions were +40/RT/+4 except for the -20° C. control.

    __________________________________________________________________________                    WK 2  WK 4  WK 8  WK 14                                         SAMPLE         RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP                                         __________________________________________________________________________     CONTROL -20° C.                                                                        82 64 65 41 22 23 15 16                                         CONTROL +40/RT/+4                                                                             56 45 0  0  0  0  0  0                                          20 mM DTT      92 71 91 52 78 43 65 50                                         50 mM pABA (Na.sup.+)                                                                         88 77 77 43 76 44 54 45                                         25 mM Tryptophan                                                                              86 70 78 50 59 34 41 38                                         200 μg/ml SB                                                                               64 56 17 7  0  0  0  0                                          50 mM pABA, 200 μg/ml SB                                                                   86 69 74 31 67 34 48 42                                         DTT, pABA, SB  91 67 88 37 86 49 79 49                                         20 mM, 50 mM, 200 μg/ml                                                     __________________________________________________________________________

These results show that DTT, pABA, Tryptophan and to a small extent SB, all stabilised the 35S labelled nucleotide. The possibility of dye and stabiliser combinations was demonstrated.

Example 13

Formulations containing stabilisers were tested on dATP (alpha-35S). All samples were pH 10.0. Radioactive concentration was 10 mCi/ml. The stabilisers present are indicated in the results table for each sample. Storage conditions were +40/RT/+4. AMT=3-Amino-5-mercaptotriazole.

    __________________________________________________________________________                    WK 2  WK 4  WK 8  WK 14                                         SAMPLE         RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP                                         __________________________________________________________________________     20 mM DTT CONTROL -20° C.                                                              94 55 89 70 81 66 78 67                                         50 mM AMT      95 68 94 76 90 60 88 84                                         50 mM AMT, 50 mM DTT                                                                          93 52 94 73 92 62 91 83                                         50 mM AMT, 20 mM DTT                                                                          93 64 94 84 92 70 91 84                                         50 mM AMT, 100 mM 2ME                                                                         95 60 94 78 92 72 93 80                                         50 mM AMT, 40 mM 2ME                                                                          94 50 93 73 92 70 90 77                                         25 mM AMT      93 67 92 81 87 70 80 69                                         25 mM AMT, 50 mM DTT                                                                          96 44 94 78 92 68 90 77                                         25 mM AMT, 20 mM DTT                                                                          96 53 93 85 90 75 89 75                                         25 mM AMT, 100 mM 2ME                                                                         95 45 94 72 92 76 92 83                                         25 mM AMT, 40 mM 2ME                                                                          95 50 92 87 91 77 89 80                                         __________________________________________________________________________

It can be deduced that the three stabilisers azole, DTT and 2-ME may be used in combination to achieve adequate stabilisation. Azole stabiliser may also be used with no other stabiliser present.

EXAMPLES 14 TO 21

Examples 14 to 21 show further testing of stabilisers on various radiolabelled compounds. Unless otherwise indicated, all stabilisers were used at a working concentration of 50 mM.

Example 14

Stabilisers were tested on dATP (alpha 35S) nucleotide solutions. All the samples were pH 10.0 and the radioactive concentration was 10 mCi/ml. All samples contained 20 mM DTT. Storage conditions were 40/RT/+4, except for the first two controls which were stored at -20° C.

    __________________________________________________________________________                    WK 2  WK 4  WK 8  WK 14                                         SAMPLE         RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP                                         __________________________________________________________________________     CONTROL -20° C.                                                                        95 61 92 76 90 82 90 76                                         CONTROL -20° C.                                                                        93 51 91 78 87 80 87 76                                         CONTROL +40/RT/+4                                                                             92 53 58 56 40 39 30 38                                         5-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-                                                                    95 55 91 72 90 71 85 76                                         2-thiol                                                                        2-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole                                                                     92 56 88 71 85 71 85 72                                         4-Methyl-4H-1,2,4-                                                                            91 49 88 63 87 64 91 68                                         triazole-3-thiol                                                               3-Amino pyrazole                                                                              93 56 85 70 85 71 88 79                                         3,5-Diamino triazole                                                                          91 53 79 69 85 73 85 79                                         __________________________________________________________________________

Example 15

A further experiment was carried out to test stabilisers on dATP (Alpha 35S). Experimental details were as for Example 14.

    __________________________________________________________________________                    WK 2  WK 4  WK 8  WK 14                                         SAMPLE         RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP RCP                                                                               MP                                         __________________________________________________________________________     CONTROL -20° C.                                                                        93 67 90 74 88 72 89 76                                         CONTROL -20° C.                                                                        93 65 90 76 87 77 84 74                                         CONTROL +40/RT/+4                                                                             90 61 83 77 75 71 62 60                                         5-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-                                                                    93 54 90 79 87 66 90 76                                         2-thiol                                                                        4-Methyl-4H-1,2,4-                                                                            93 48 91 73 88 61 88 74                                         triazole-3-thiol                                                               3-Amino pyrazole                                                                              91 64 87 78 83 70 80 80                                         3-Amino pyrazole-                                                                             91 61 86 82 83 72 79 80                                         4-carboxylic acid                                                              3,5-Diamino triazole                                                                          90 58 90 77 84 77 82 75                                         25 mM Tryptophan                                                                              90 51 90 74 -- 70 79 74                                         3-Amino-5-mercapto triazole                                                                   92 55 91 73 85 74 88 73                                         __________________________________________________________________________

Example 16

Stabilisers were tested on 33P gamma-labelled ATP. All samples contained 0.1% 2-mercaptoethanol. The radioactive concentration was 5 mCi/ml. All samples were stored at +4° C. except the one control sample stored at -20° C., (there was no temperature cycling).

    ______________________________________                                                       DAY 6      DAY 14   DAY 45                                       SAMPLE        RCP        RCP      RCP                                          ______________________________________                                         CONTROL -20° C.                                                                       88         86       83                                           CONTROL +4° C.                                                                        76         64       50                                           5-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-                                                                   90         89       87                                           2-thiol                                                                        4-Methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-                                                                  90         87       86                                           3-thiol                                                                        3-Amino-5-hydroxy-                                                                           89         81       78                                           pyrazole                                                                       3-Amino-5-mercapto-                                                                          88         77       75                                           triazole                                                                       3,5-Diamino-1,2,4-triazole                                                                   89         88       81                                           ______________________________________                                    

All stabilisers showed a stabilisation effect, with all the purities being greater than those of the +4° C. Control. The presence of some of the stabilisers maintained the purity of the nucleotide solution more effectively than storage at -20° C.

Example 17

Stabilisers were tested on 35S labelled methionine. All samples contained 0.1% 2-mercaptoethanol. The radioactive concentration was 34 mCi/ml. All samples were stored at +4° C. except the first Control sample which was stored at -20° C.

    ______________________________________                                                       DAY 7   DAY 14   DAY 25 DAY 32                                   SAMPLE        RCP     RCP      RCP    RCP                                      ______________________________________                                         CONTROL -20° C.                                                                       84      63       41     27                                       CONTROL +4° C.                                                                        52      10       3      --                                       5-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-                                                                   95      93       87     83                                       2-thiol                                                                        4-Methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-                                                                  93      90       84     84                                       3-thiol                                                                        3-Amino-5-hydroxy-                                                                           67      19       2      --                                       pyrazole                                                                       3-Amino-5-mercapto-                                                                          94      94       92     92                                       triazole                                                                       3,5-Diamino-1,2,4-triazole                                                                   82      39       12      5                                       ______________________________________                                    

All stabilisers provided some stabilisation compared with the 4° C. control. Several of these stabilisers conferred better stability on the 35S methionine at +4° C. than storage at -20° C. without the stabilisers present.

Example 18

Stabilisers were tested on ³ H labelled phenylalanine. The radioactive concentration was 0.5 mCi/ml. All samples were stored at room temperature except the first Control sample which was stored at +2° C.

    ______________________________________                                                      DAY 13   DAY 23   DAY 36 DAY 41                                   SAMPLE       RCP      RCP      RCP    RCP                                      ______________________________________                                         CONTROL +2° C.                                                                       82       74       74     68                                       CONTROL RT   81       71       69     62                                       5-Amino-1,3,4-                                                                              92       90       93     92                                       thiadiazole-                                                                   2-thiol                                                                        3,5-Diamino-1,2,4-                                                                          91       87       87     86                                       triazole                                                                       3-Amino-5-hydroxy-                                                                          92       88       93     92                                       pyrazole                                                                       Para-aminobenzoic acid                                                                      92       88       93     91                                       ______________________________________                                    

All stabilisers provided stabilisation compared with both control samples. Excellent stability was achieved even though storage was at room temperature.

Example 19

Stabilisers were tested on (Methyl-3H) Thymidine. The radioactive concentration was 0.5 mCi/ml. All samples were stored at room temperature except the first Control sample which was stored at +2° C.

    ______________________________________                                                      DAY 13   DAY 23   DAY 36 DAY 41                                   SAMPLE       RCP      RCP      RCP    RCP                                      ______________________________________                                         CONTROL +2° C.                                                                       --       74       69     68                                       CONTROL RT   78       73       66     64                                       5-Amino-1,3,4-                                                                              86       87       85     85                                       thiadiazole-                                                                   2-thiol                                                                        3,5-Diamino-1,2,4-                                                                          85       84       84     85                                       triazole                                                                       3-Amino-5-hydroxy-                                                                          86       83       85     86                                       pyrazole                                                                       Para-aminobenzoic acid                                                                      85       86       85     86                                       ______________________________________                                    

All stabilisers provided some stabilisation compared with both control samples. Excellent stability was achieved even though all stabilised samples were stored at room temperature.

Example 20

Stabilisers were tested on L-(U-14C) Histidine. The radioactive concentration was 100 mCi/ml. All samples were stored at room temperature except the first Control sample which was stored at +2° C.

    ______________________________________                                                      DAY 13   DAY 23   DAY 36 DAY 41                                   SAMPLE       RCP      RCP      RCP    RCP                                      ______________________________________                                         CONTROL +2° C.                                                                       99       99       98     99                                       CONTROL RT   97       97       96     95                                       5-Amino-1,3,4-                                                                              97       98       99     97                                       thiadiazole-                                                                   2-thiol                                                                        3,5-Diamino-1,2,4-                                                                          98       97       98     98                                       triazole                                                                       Para-aminobenzoic acid                                                                      99       98       98     97                                       ______________________________________                                    

The stabilisers provided some stabilisation compared with the RT control sample. All samples performed well. The 14C half-life is very long (5730 years) and because of this, 14C-labelled compounds would be expected to be more stable. Long-term stability studies would be expected to show that the samples containing stabilisers have a significant stability improvement compared with controls..pa

Example 21

The stability of other compounds was determined in a similar manner. L-(5-3H) Proline (at 0.5 mCi/ml) and (8-14C) ATP (at 0.75 mCi/ml) were analysed over a period of six weeks. It was found that these compounds were quite stable, even with no stabiliser present. Both compounds maintained their purities at approximately 97-98%. From these results it can be concluded that the presence of the stabilisers does not reduce the stability of L-(5-3H) Proline and (8-14C) ATP.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         TRYPTOPHAN                                                                      ##STR2##                                                                      P-AMINOBENZOIC ACID                                                             ##STR3##                                                                      INDOLEACETIC ACID                                                               ##STR4##                                                                      5-AMINO-1,3,4-THIADIAZOLE-2-THIOL                                               ##STR5##                                                                      3-AMINO-5-MERCAPTO-1,2,4-TRIAZOLE                                               ##STR6##                                                                      2,4-DIMERCAPTO-1,3,4-THIADIAZOLE                                                ##STR7##                                                                      3,5-DIAMINO-1,2,4-TRIAZOLE                                                      ##STR8##                                                                      2-AMINO-1,3,4-THIADIAZOLE                                                       ##STR9##                                                                      4-METHYL-4H,1,2,4-TRIAZOLE-3-THIOL                                              ##STR10##                                                                     3-AMINO PYRAZOLE                                                                ##STR11##                                                                     3-AMINO-4-PYRAZOLE CARBOXYLIC ACID                                              ##STR12##                                                                     3-AMINO-5-HYDROXYPYRAZOLE                                                       ##STR13##                                                                     4-AMINO-1,2,4-TRIAZOLE                                                          ##STR14##                                                                     1H-1,2,4-TRIAZOLE-3-THIOL                                                       ##STR15##                                                                      ##STR16##                                                                      ##STR17##                                                                      ##STR18##                                                                      ##STR19##                                                                     5-MERCAPTO-1-METHYL TETRAZOLE                                                   ##STR20##                                                                     5-METHYL-1H-BENZOTRIAZOLE                                                       ##STR21##                                                                     3-AMINOPHTHALHYDRAZIDE                                                          ##STR22##                                                                     ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         SULFORHODAMINE B                                                                ##STR23##                                                                     XYLENE CYANOL                                                                   ##STR24##                                                                     AZOCARMINE B                                                                    ##STR25##                                                                     NEW COCCINE                                                                     ##STR26##                                                                     ______________________________________                                     

We claim:
 1. A product consisting of a stabilized solution of an amino acid labelled with a β-emitting nuclide, said solution also containing a dye, and said solution contained in a unfrozen state and stable for at least seven days within a closed vessel which vessel is suitable for storage and shipment of the solution in an unfrozen state.
 2. The product according to claim 1, wherein the β-emitting nuclide is ³⁵ S or ³ H or ¹⁴ C.
 3. The product according to claim 1, wherein said solution consists essentially of the amino acid labelled with a β-emitting nuclide, the stabilizer and the dye, optionally together with a buffer.
 4. The product according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of stabilizer in the said solution is 10 to 100 mM.
 5. The product according to claim 1, wherein the dye concentration in the said solution is 50 to 400 μg/ml.
 6. The product according to claim 1, wherein said solution is suitable for use in enzymatic reaction systems. 